Foundation offering students cardiac screenings

EL CAJON  The founders of a new program aimed at getting teens tested for heart irregularities have a message for parents: Be aware. It could save your child’s life.

When the Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation held its first cardiac screening at Steele Canyon High School in August, five out of about 500 tested athletes were found to have heart abnormalities that put them at risk for sudden cardiac arrest. One of those students, a water polo player, has already had surgery to repair the problem.

Hector and Rhina Paredes, who started the Scripps Green Hospital-sponsored program, said they were not surprised by the results.

Testing high school students for heart problems has become more than just a cause for Hector and Rhina. Their son, Eric, after whom their charity is named, collapsed and died of sudden cardiac arrest in the kitchen of the family’s El Cajon house on July 23, 2009.

“We have learned that you will find about 1 percent of kids that you screen are at risk for sudden death,” Rhina Paredes said. “It happened to us. We are a normal family. We had a beautiful, healthy son who just collapsed. If it could happen to us, it could happen to anyone.”

Eric, who was 15 and going into his sophomore year at Steele Canyon, had no outward signs of being ill. He was a football player and a wrestler and appeared to be as healthy as a teenager could be.

“Our purpose is to educate and make parents aware that this could happen to their kids as well,” added Rhina, a 47-year-old registered nurse.

The Paredes’ story is not unique. Twenty years ago, Loyola Marymount star basketball player Hank Gathers collapsed and died during a game in the most high profile occurrence of sudden cardiac arrest. Last month, Poway High School senior Tyler Peterson collapsed and died in his home while getting ready for school.

As a result, Hector and Rhina have teamed up with local doctors to provide free EKG screenings. The next one will be held Dec. 4 at Valhalla High School. There will likely be many more to come at schools throughout East County.

“We have multiple high schools contacting us,” said Hector Paredes, 50. “All these high schools are becoming aware of what’s going on.”